Health & Wellness Resources

Starting the New Year for many means a fresh start to eating healthy! Finding the right diet plan can be tricky though. Use these five tips to choose the best healthy eating plan for you!

Know your GOAL!
Do you want to lose weight, lower your cholesterol, or improve your physical performance? Different health goals may mean the difference in which diet you should follow, so evaluate your healthy eating goals first before choosing a plan. Clearly decide what you want to achieve through your diet, and let your goals be your guide to choosing the right plan.

Start Small
A complete overhaul in your diet will likely be short lived, so don't try to change everything at once! Start with small changes first, like drinking more water or cooking more at home. Once you've mastered one change, add something else. Before you know it you will have successfully achieved a healthier eating plan one step at a time!

Be Flexible
Choosing a plan that is very strict may not be ideal. You may find yourself in a situation where you are unable to comply with strict diet guidelines, so look for a plan that allows some flexibility. Each person is unique, so no one diet plan may be suitable for all. There may not be a "one-size fits all" plan out there because each person's diet needs are different. Find a plan that is flexible and suits your personal needs best.

Be Realistic
The best healthy eating plan is the one you can successfully follow! Be realistic about the results you expect to see from your diet as well. If a gimmicky crash diet promises rapid weight loss and miracle cures, it is likely not the best choice.

Think Long-Term
Aim to follow a plan that supports long-term health, not a short-term crash diet. Getting caught in the dieting trap, quickly followed by going back to your old eating ways may be more harmful than beneficial. Avoid crash dieting and think about long-term health when choosing your healthy eating plan.

You can find a variety of tools, resources and websites that can help you create a healthful eating plan. Visit the USDA's website to learn more about SuperTracker and other tools that can help you plan a healthy diet. We've also included some healthy and flavorful recipes to try!